Axl Heimdallson is a supporting character in the 2022 Marvel Cinematic Universe film Thor: Love and Thunder. During Gorr the God Butcher's rampage, Axl and other children were kidnapped by Gorr's Shadow Monsters as a trap to draw Thor into the Shadow Realm. Using his abilities, Axl kept in contact with Thor and fought alongside him and Mighty Thor during their confrontation with Gorr at the Gates of Eternity. After activating the Bifrost Bridge with Stormbreaker to return himself and the other children to New Asgard, Axl began training under Sif to become a warrior.
Biography[]
Axl Heimdallson, originally named Astrid Heimdallson, was born in Asgard to Heimdall and Grace, inheriting his father's extraordinary senses. In 2017, after Asgard's destruction, he joined his parents and fellow Asgardians in evacuating aboard the Statesman. However, in 2018, their ship was ambushed by Thanos, who killed Heimdall and destroyed the vessel. Axl and his mother escaped with Valkyrie and the surviving Asgardians in escape pods, eventually resettling in Tønsberg, Norway. Over the years, Axl became a fan of Guns N' Roses and adopted the name "Axl" in tribute to the band's lead singer, Axl Rose.
In 2025, Axl Heimdallson witnessed New Asgard under siege by Gorr the God Butcher and his Shadow Monsters. As Thor, Valkyrie, Jane Foster, and the Einherjar fought valiantly to defend the realm, Axl and a group of children were captured by the Shadow Monsters and taken into space. Trapped in a cage, Axl used his inherited abilities to communicate with Thor, projecting only his floating head. Thor guided Axl in creating a stronger connection, enabling Thor to project himself into their location and identify the Shadow Realm as their prison.
During one connection, Thor appeared before the children to reassure them. He encouraged bravery by telling them they would ascend to Valhalla if they died as warriors, though this inadvertently frightened them. Axl nearly cut the connection, but Thor promised he would rescue them, rekindling their hope.
To lift the children’s spirits, Axl recounted Thor's past exploits, such as crafting Stormbreaker on Nidavellir and defeating Thanos. However, their fears returned when Gorr appeared, laughing at Axl's stories. Gorr mockingly applauded Axl’s tale, his dark humor turning sinister as he beheaded Octy to "entertain" the children, further terrifying them. Gorr reiterated that they were merely bait to lure Thor into his trap.
Later, Axl re-established the link with Thor, who shared his confrontation with the Olympians in Omnipotence City. When Axl questioned Thor’s decision to kill Zeus, Thor explained his disappointment but noted the Thunderbolt’s importance in fighting Gorr.
Gorr brought the children to the Gates of Eternity, intending to open the portal and eliminate all gods. Thor arrived to rescue them and rallied the children, asking if they had ever fought before. When they admitted they had not, Thor assured them that courage was in their lineage. Using Zeus’s Thunderbolt, he temporarily granted them his powers.
Empowered, the children—led by Axl—valiantly charged at Gorr’s Shadow Monsters. Amid the chaos, Thor retrieved Stormbreaker and entrusted it to Axl, who used it to activate the Bifrost and transport the children safely back to New Asgard.
Once home, Axl was reunited with his relieved mother. Recognizing the need for the children to defend themselves, Valkyrie organized combat training for them. Axl, in particular, received personal instruction from Sif, who began teaching him the art of swordsmanship, preparing him to follow in his father’s warrior footsteps.
